VICTORY!

Oh happy, happy, happy day! 

This is a date that is going in my journal.  

So, it's like this.  

First, there was this - 

and then this -

and then oh good gracious, this double whopper doozy -

3 pregnancies.

4 babies. 

5 years.  

130 lbs gained and ....

LOST

Today, July 27, 2013 - PRE-BABIES WEIGHT!!!!!

I'd like to thank the academy, er, uh, Briana, the creator of Bikini Body Mommy Challenge. 

I have been doing the challenge for 40 days now, still have 50 to go.  And totally plan on finishing.  

I am just so excited to be back to this weight.  It has been a goal for a long time and for a long time I thought that I was never going to lose that last 5lbs!  But I kept at it, gave up my ice cream therapy until it was done and just kept moving.  And ta-da!  Mission accomplished.  

I'm not posting my AFTER photo until the challenge is done.  While my weight has returned to normal, there is still some toning up and trimming down that I want and I know finishing the challenge will get me there. 

This challenge has been such a great thing for me.  

First, it has allowed me to reach a very important goal.  This is a big win that I so desperately needed.  As I was sitting thinking about it after lunch, I actually cried for a couple minutes because it hit me so hard.  That I finally got there!  It has been over 6 years since I was this weight.  I have sacrificed my body for the sake of 4 beautiful babies and while I was happy to do so, today was quite momentous because it felt like the return of me.  Those hard sacrifices and pain and discomfort and everything else that comes with pregnancy all came full circle.  It is done.  My body is me again.    

Secondly, the timing was perfect and completely horrible at the same time.  D has been gone 5 weeks now and it could have been the perfect excuse to stop or pause but I kept going because it was "me" time and it was a vent for me to release my frustration and disappointment and all the heartache that comes with this single mommydom.  It gave me a chance to let my legs run so my mind would stop.  Just a great healthy release that we all need, but I need especially because this has been the most challenging parenting of my life to date.  

Thirdly, it was the perfect excuse to start running again.  Oh how I have wanted to run for so, so long.  And with 45 minutes of cardio every other day, I wanted to get my feet wet again.  So I did.  Of course, at the beginning it was horrible.  It hurt, I couldn't move as fast as I wanted to and I was sore the next day.  But there is something to be said for muscle memory or whatever it is called.  It only took a week before running faster felt better than taking it slow.  My body wanted to run!  After a few days off to deal with some health issues, I was craving  a run.  I just ached to get out on the road and be set free.  With the help of friends from church, I am able to get out a couple nights a week and it feels so great.  Cute shorts help too!  (haha)

So, in conclusion, it was a big win for this momma today.  And its only going to keep getting better.